I thought back to the chocolate cake I had eaten a few days ago. Just imagining the smooth, glossy cream softening at room temperature made feel a little better. I could even feel my mouth watering.
Alright, ti to start the nonsense.
“Thank you for giving this opportunity. I’ve been wanting to tell everyone I et how amazing His Highness was that day!”
“Pardon?”
“Even though he was wearing ceremonial armor, which must have made it hard to move, the way he drew his sword the mont he saw the magical beast was so graceful. No scene from any heroic play could ever compare to how thrilling that mont was.”
“Ah, yes, of course. But I was hoping for sothing a bit different, perhaps regarding… His Highness’s future plans?”
“His future… Do you an marriage?”
This was the mont to blush modestly. I didn’t have the acting skills for that, though, so I simply raised my fan to partially cover my face and cast my eyes downward, as if embarrassed.
That should do it.
My mind is completely preoccupied with Tristan! That’s all I can talk about!
“I haven’t heard anything about dates or plans, but I’m simply waiting in silence for His Highness’s decision. Whatever he chooses will bring joy.”
“Ah, haha. Your devotion seems to grow deeper every day, Lady Doris. It’s admirable.”
“Thank you. Honestly, I’ve been too shy to share this with anyone, but if you’d like to hear more about His Highness’s heroic deeds that day—”
“Oh, no need for that. I’m sure my niece must be waiting for you.”
The baroness, uninterested in hearing more of my ramblings, quickly excused herself. Thank goodness.
Soon after, the one person in this house who was genuinely happy to see waved her hand.
“Dori! Over here. Was the trip tiring? I’ve got tea ready in my room.”
“Thanks, Maria.”
“It’s a bit dark in there, so don’t be startled.”
Of course, I wasn’t startled.
Maria’s room was exactly as described in the original novel—a small, neglected room in a corner of the baron’s estate, one that had once belonged to the baron’s child but had long since been abandoned. Its northeast-facing window allowed little light, and in winter, it was the perfect environnt for condensation and mold.
But seeing Maria’s face made forget all about the lack of sunlight.
“It’s such a cozy room. Thanks for letting visit today.”
“Oh, don’t ntion it. I wanted to invite you to the tea room, but… my uncle said he might have guests over today, so he told to leave it available.”
The baron wasn’t ho today. Maria had specifically chosen a day when he’d be out for etings to invite over. As a dependent, it would’ve been awkward for her to host a guest in front of the head of the household.
‘Even if Maria has gotten close to the young duke… that doesn’t exactly benefit the baron, who doesn’t want to get tangled in her marriage affairs.’
The baron had even openly told her around the ti of the hunting tournant to “find a man more suited to her level.”
Whatever joy Maria had experienced from the animal gift she’d received from Arthur had likely faded by now.
‘This house must feel like a bed of thorns to Maria.’
At least the room, despite being dark, was well-decorated and cozy. In sumr, the northern-facing window wasn’t necessarily a disadvantage.
“It’s fine. Honestly, for friendships, a friend’s room is much better than a tea room!”
“Ahaha, thanks. But Dori, are you eating properly? You don’t look so well.”
“I’ve been busy wrapping up the final revisions. But it’s nothing to worry about. Here, take a look at the script first.”
I handed her the true purpose of my visit while sipping the tea she’d prepared.
It was a revised script and lyric sheet for the performance.
Maria, looking serious, moved to the brightest spot in the room near the window and began reading the script carefully.
“This is interesting!”
She smiled brightly. No sign of a forced expression—thank goodness.
“The lyrics seem like they could’ve been a bit conventional on their own, but with the added stage directions, it all cos to life.”
“Do you think a first-ti audience would understand it?”
“I’m sure they will. There are only a few songs left, and ultimately, it’s a love story that anyone can follow.”
She was right. Even people unfamiliar with La Traviata could grasp the drama from a single sentence: “The tragic love story of a naive nobleman and a woman of lower status.”
Maria added a playful comnt.
“Though with your touch, Dori, it’s not much of a love story anymore.”
“Ahaha… I just don’t have much confidence in writing love stories—”
“Oh, I’m not criticizing you. Honestly, if people wanted a good love story, they’d go to the theater. For an audience without any expectations, a satire like this is probably far more entertaining.”
“Thanks for the complint!”
“No, thank you! I get to enjoy the script before anyone else. By the way, what’s your role?”
“Here. zzo-soprano. Lady C in the dialogue.”
“Want to help you practice?”
I hesitated.
Having a third party’s feedback would be helpful.
When practicing with the other ladies, we tended to overlook mistakes, knowing how hard everyone was working.
But outright asking her to watch was a bit embarrassing, so I hesitated, until Maria suddenly rembered the teapot.
“Drink so tea and think about it before it gets cold. And keep in mind, I’m not a harsh critic.”
“Your sense of humor’s improved. By the way, with the script being revised like this, do you think you and the young duke will be okay with it? It doesn’t exactly scream ‘romantic couple-friendly.’”
“Oh, the young duke would definitely want to see your performance. B-but wait. A couple?!”
Maria’s face turned bright red.
“We’re not that close!”
“What do you an? Didn’t you say you’ve been exchanging letters since the hunting tournant?”
“Yes, we’ve already exchanged three.”
“…Just letters?”
“What else would we exchange?”
“…”
Even if this world is so pseudo-European setting cobbled together from the 17th to early 20th century, isn’t this level of conservatism a bit much?
“Have you t the young duke alone since the hunting tournant? A al, a performance, or at least a walk?”
“No. The young duke is busy, and the thought of people watching us makes so embarrassed… I don’t even know how I mustered the courage during the hunting tournant! Just thinking about it now makes feel like my face is on fire.”
“…Has the young duke ever suggested a date?”
“He did once ntion taking a walk together on a nice day. There would be lots of people on the walking path then, so… Maybe in the fall?”
“…”
Damn transmigration novels! They never stick to the original plot peacefully!
‘No wonder their relationship progressed so easily without any major events.’
In the original, their relationship had taken a significant turn during the hunting tournant arc. The male and female leads had spent the night together beneath a cliff, and at least a kiss scene was expected. That atmosphere had brought them closer, but after the tournant, Maria had withdrawn from society out of guilt for defying her uncle’s warnings and embarrassnt toward Arthur.
Arthur, left alone to daydream, had realized she was avoiding him and entered a “Why are you doing this to ?!” mode, clinging to her desperately.
And now? That entire arc was gone.
Instead, they were casually exchanging letters.
Healthy relationships are nice, but is this really okay?
After confessing their feelings, how could they say, “We’re not a couple”? If they planned to take a walk in the fall, were they going to hold hands in the winter? By then, the social season would end, and Arthur would have to leave for the north.
Would he propose then and bring her with him? Or would they decide to “get to know each other better” and postpone everything?
I was starting to regret giving Maria the courage during the hunting tournant.
What this couple needed wasn’t a slow build-up of confidence but an unexpected crisis to push them together!
Damn it. No wonder the ladies’ gossip sessions hadn’t ntioned Arthur’s love life. If their relationship was stuck in such a lukewarm state, there wasn’t enough material for gossip!
My mind blanked, and I blurted out whatever ca to mind.
“Fall, huh. That’s nice. By then, there’ll be plenty of couples who’ve already agreed on their futures…”
“Walking under the autumn sky among couples who’ve decided on forever… It sounds so romantic. One day, Arthur and I will have that too, right?”
Do it now! At this point, exchanging portraits and planning a wedding would already count as common-law marriage!
The fear that this couple might only hold hands in the winter and part ways drove to speak.
“Maria. After the charity concert, once I have so free ti, why don’t we go on an outing? The four of us.”
“Huh? Four?”
“You, the young duke, and with my fiancé.”
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